Traditional vs Contemporary Dating Habits in Russia

In Russia, women frequently regard their partners or husbands as the leaders of the family. Traditional Russian culture has distinctly defined gender roles, with women typically opting to stay at home and care for their families rather than pursue career advancement.

But recently, society is shifting, and Russian women are breaking down gender barriers. Increasing numbers are adopting proactive positions in leadership and are ushering in a new era for career women in Russian society.

The Gendered Regime vs Contemporary Women

Interestingly, men are sometimes referred to as the stronger sex in Russian linguistics. But rather than being referred to as the weaker sex, women are instead referred to as the prettier sex.

This is due to the notion of male gallantry culture in Russian society. Men are supposed to be gentlemen at all times, while women are expected to be prim and proper, and well presented.

During the Cold War, the Soviet Republic issued a list of vocations that women were not allowed to hold, based on grounds that males were the stronger sex and women were the beautiful sex. These were jobs that would have required manual labor or exposed workers to hazardous chemicals. The list’s parallel was that these jobs were damaging to women, and it was the state’s responsibility to protect Soviet women’s fertility.

In Russia, several landmark lawsuits were won in favor of gender equality, paving the way for more women to assume leadership roles and commanding positions in their workplace.

Although modern feminism is quite prevalent in contemporary Russian society, the dating norms and traditions from Pre-Soviet Russia remain. Chivalry is still expected of men and women are in a way still culturally pressured to marry young.

The idea of traditional gender roles is still evident in the modern dating scene. Men are expected to take the reins when it comes to asking women out, planning dates, and taking care of the check.

Commitment is also a big concern with dating as Russian women tend to look for long-term commitments compared to the Western dating scene, where short-term flings are the prevalent custom.

Modern Dating Traditions in Russia

When it comes to dating in Russia, you’ll notice that most dating norms have remained unchanged since the Pre-Soviet era. Men are still expected to take the lead when it comes, even though women are more independent these days.

• Body Language

When you meet someone in Russia for the first time, you normally shake hands and make eye contact. However, on a first date, the man waits for the lady to extend her hand first. Personal space, on the other hand, is not greatly valued in Russia. As a result, you’ll frequently encounter individuals standing close together and conversing animatedly but quietly.

During conversations, there is often a lot of physical contact. This may make you feel uneasy in the early stages of a relationship, depending on your background. If they choose not to say anything, just remember that this isn’t always a signal that a lady is interested in you; it’s simply their culture.

• Conversations

During conversations, Russian women can be strong, but at times emotional. Try not to take it personally because it’s just part of their Russian etiquette. Women in Russia can be quite opinionated, so don’t think that if they disagree with you, they’re trying to undermine your morals and views; they simply want to make their point as clear as possible.

• Chivalry and Paying for the Check

While Russian women today are very modern, they maintain their traditional dating standards, particularly toward males.

Men are expected to be brave at all times. They expect males to be punctual, open doors for them and assist them with their jackets, among other things. Men frequently bring flowers to dates, but only in odd numbers, as even numbers are regarded to be unlucky.

Men are expected to pay when it comes to paying the bill. This may appear to be unhelpful in the face of modern feminism, yet this culture is seen as a sort of respect for women’s independence.

Women, on the other hand, make an effort to maintain their correct demeanor. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Russian woman who doesn’t put effort into her appearance. They tend to avoid any conduct that is perceived as unfeminine, such as cursing, smoking, or excessive drinking.

• Meeting the Family

People in Russia put great importance on the family unit. Women, in particular, value their parents’ opinions. As a result, they are open with their parents about their personal life..

This means you might get a call inviting you to meet the family sooner than you’d expect. Russian women not only want their parents to approve of their choice of mate, but they also want them to spend time with each other.

With this in mind, it’s critical to make a good first impression and to recognize that her family is now yours.

Also, be prepared for the chance that her family tree will span three or four generations. After all, Russian families are known for their deep roots and history.

• Marriage and Gender Roles

When it comes to family life, men are meant to be the breadwinners and provide for the family. Women, on the other hand, are responsible for the children and the home.

Women are regarded for being extremely loyal and considerate to their spouses. They are also strongly loyal to their families and choose to focus on their families over developing their own jobs.

Although traditional Eastern Russian culture for women may appear to be antiquated and unfair, men are expected to make up for it by being kind and chivalrous towards their relationships. In general, males are more inclined than women to support their partners’ lifestyles.

If you are looking to date or marry someone from Russia, make the effort to have a basic understanding of their history, culture, and norms. This way, you can make sure you know what you are getting into, and can do so without any hesitation.